(This development provoked a bevy of hot takes on social media, but hold that thought, because we'll return to it below.)

The first addition on the dog slate is the Sloughi (pronounced SLOO-ghee), who will compete in the Hound category. According to the club, these loyal and devoted puppers originated in North Africa but "are primarily bred for companionship in the US".

Hot on the sloughi's heels was a second adorable rookie, the Pumi (pronounced POOH-me). This breed traces its lineage back to Hungary, where they have been used by farmers to herd cattle, sheep, and pigs. They are described by the club as "intelligent, willing to work, and quick learner[s]".

The final new entry is the American Hairless Terrier, who were first developed in the 1970s to "hunt rats and other vermin". Said to be lively, alert, and curious, their trainability makes the breed "a perfect choice for such dog sports as Obedience and Agility."

Here are the three new breeds posing for photographers.

While reaction to the new dog breeds was largely positive, news that cats would be included at a "Meet the Breed" function on February 11 was considerably more polarizing. (Cats, as the New York Times reports, have been featured by the club previously but only separately and away from the primary competition.)